Military to Fractional
 

Hey folks,

Just wondering what your opinions are on a future situation that I might encounter. I am a Air national Guard member currently in Undergraduate Pilot Training and trying to estimate what types of flying jobs might be available for me when I leave here.

I have a college degree in Aviation and am comercially rated. When I leave here I will have 600-700 hours (550 Turbine) and a type rating in the Hawker 400.

I realize this does not buy much in the civilian world but do you think that this could open the door into a small fractional jet company or corporate???

There are not many fractionals hiring as of right now or in the near future with maybe the exeption of Avantair. Many companies have pilots out on furlough. You may have a good shot at flying for a part 91/135 charter company especially with a type rating,however you may have hard time with low flight time that you stated. At my company (we fly beechjets and hawkers), they won't even look at you unless you have ATP minimums and that is for the right seat. This is controlled by our insurance company. Even the regionals are now only looking at pilots that are closer to those ATP minimums. Used to be you can get on at low time,build your time up then move on to something else,not anymore.

I've worked for two fractionals and both required an ATP with minimum hours of 2,000 and 2,500.

Are you going to fly the 10, 17, or 135?

By his profile it looks like he will be a herc guy

Whoops stupid me didn't look... Lucky son of a gun. Herc guys are some of the best pilots I've shaken hands with.. From all branches.

Do the guard bum thing for a couple of years and get all the time you can, every flight drill, man day and deployment. Once you're over 1500 TT with your APT you will be marketable.

Do the Guard thing, and start at the best outfit you can get on with.....the sooner the better......Good luck

I think until you have ATP mins and/or an ATP, you'll have a tough time getting on much of anywhere in the corporate world right now, unless you have some kind of networking contact that makes them want you for you (instead of your resume).

The best advice is what is above: fly as much as you can with your Guard/Reserve unit and get good at that job before you start looking outside for work.

When Netjets was hiring, it was a hard minimum of 2500 hrs....... Plus the usual ATP and preference to jet type rated guys. NJA won't be hiring anytime in the next 5 -10 years unless attrition increases and nobody goes back from furlough. Neither of which is likely to happen with the lack of any quality hiring in considerable amounts.